Her Savior

Chapter 6

Maelynn

He's not really coming to pick me up is he? I sat in my hospital room questioning myself of this. I mean he said he would be back yesterday and I thought he wasn't going to show but he did. Still...

"What's good shorty?" I jumped at the sound of his voice. He really is here. He has another bag in his hand. I wonder if it's food. My stomach growled and I blushed at how loud it was. "Didn't eat yet?"

"Uh...no," I dropped my head. He's probably thinking I need to miss a meal.

"Iight I'll get you something. Here," he handed me the bag. "I got you some clothes and stuff."

My eyes got big. "Y-You didn't have to," I said trying to give the bag back.

He raised his brow at me. "You want to walk out of here naked? Your clothes are pretty much ruined you know."

"Oh," I said accepting the items. "Thanks," I mumbled. I went to climb out of bed.

"Aye let me help you." He started my way.

"No it's okay. They gave me a boot so I can walk."

"You sure?" He asked eying my foot.

"Yeah," I said. I hobbled into the bathroom and pulled out the clothes. I was surprised. All the things were...nice. He got me black jeans with a few cuts in it, a jersey "slay" shirt with a low cut and black vans with socks and some panties. I blushed trying to figure out where he could find out my size. I bit my lip as I cleaned up a bit before putting everything on. The pants were pretty big and they stretch so I could easily grow into them. The shirt was smaller than I'm used to but not skin tight making me uncomfortable. The shoes were just about perfect. I could only wear one foot though. I looked in the mirror in the bathroom. I didn't look too terrible I guess.

I hobbled out of the bathroom and he was talking with the doctor. I stood by and waited patiently. "She's good to go," the doctor said. "Feel better miss."

"Thanks," I mumbled.

"You look good," he said eying me. I blushed and looked away. "You have to get in the wheelchair."

"Why?" What if the chair breaks when I sit in it? What if they can't push it because I'm so heavy? That would be so embarrassing.

"Policy. Get in." I huffed and sat down. Okay it didn't break. Good start. He started pushing me out. I played with my hands and kept my head down. We made it outside to a truck.

"This your car?" I asked standing up. I almost lost my balance. I squealed when I started falling but never hit the ground. I felt strong arms around me.

"You okay?" I felt the warm breeze of his breath on my neck. He was so close I could smell his minty breath. It made me shiver.

"Y-Yeah," I stuttered nervously. He helped me stand up straight. I stared intently at the ground as my blush got worst. I heard a chirp and looked up. He opened the passenger door and offered me his hand. I took it and he lifted me inside before closing the door. He went around the other side and got in.

"Who's at your place?" He started the car up.

"Uh...no one?"

He glanced at me as he pulled off. "So there’s no one to take care of you?"

"I can take care of myself," I said defiantly and defensively.

He raised his eyebrow at my statement. "You almost fell just getting out of a wheelchair."

"Wheelchairs are evil," I mumbled. I heard him chuckle at what I said. I noticed we were driving somewhere specific. "Where are we going? I didn't tell you where I live. And you're going the wrong way by the way."

He leaned back in his seat as we eased to a red light. His arms flexed bringing the tattoos to life. I was mesmerized. There was so much ink. "You’re going to my house."

"What?" My heart rate increased. He wasn't serious...I think I should stop asking that. I'm quickly realizing when he says something he means it.

"Well since your parents are 'working'," he put emphasis on the word. "You need someone to take care of you until they get off."

"I already said I can take care of myself," I insisted. "I don't know why you care so much," I mumbled.

"Considering I found you on the side of the road in the rain with fractured bones I have every right to be worried," he said. “There’s something bad going on with you that you’re not telling so I have to take extra steps to make sure you’re okay.”

I was quiet for a beat. "It's none of your concern." The car suddenly came to a screeching stop. If I hadn't had on my seat belt I probably would've flown out the window. I squealed as I whipped forwards and then back into my seat.

Tremaine turned in his seat and gave me a hard look. I looked anywhere but at him. "Normally I would agree with you but since it is you let's say what goes on with you is now my concern."

"Why?" I mumbled. I finally got the courage to look at him. He was staring at me intently.

"I guess we have to figure that out don't we?" He started driving again. We were both quiet the whole way to his house I assume. We came to a stretch of nice houses just outside of the ghetto. We came to the second one and pulled into a driveway in front of a garage. He turned the car off and got out. I opened the door and tried angling a way I could get out without hurting my foot. "Next time you open that before I get over here Imma ring your neck," Tremaine said appearing in front of me.

"Sorry," I squeaked. He put his hands on my hips. I could feel the heat radiating through the fabric. I blushed crazily and squealed when he picked me up out of the truck. He sat me down on the ground carefully before closing the door. He pressed the lock button and the truck beeped.

He walked ahead of me up the little paved pathway. I followed him. He flipped through his set of keys until he came to the one I assume he was looking for. He stuck it into the lock and twisted. He opened the door and stepped aside to let me in first.

His place was huge and lovely. There were pictures littering the walls. Mostly of Chasity and Marcel. I followed him and came to an open kitchen, dining room and living room area. The TV was tall making it look bigger with speakers on either side. "You can watch TV if you want," he said going into the kitchen. "I'm making omelets."

"What's that?" I asked confused.

"You've never had an omelet?" he raised his eyebrow. I blushed profusely and shook my head. "Prepare to be amazed then beautiful. The master omelet chef is about to wow you," he winked at me.

I giggled and sat at the breakfast bar. I watched him move about the kitchen. I found out an omelet consisted of eggs, veggies, meat and lots of different spices. I was actually very excited to try it. I typically don’t go out of my comfort zone of food to preserve what little I had. He slid the first two omelets onto a plate and gave it to me. He went into the fridge and got some orange juice and poured it into a cup. I cut into the omelet and took a bite. "Wow," I said staring wide eyed. This is the best thing I've ever eaten.

"Good right?" he grabbed his plate.

"So good," I moaned taking another bite. He chuckled taking a seat next to me. "Where'd you learn to cook like this?"

He shrugged. "Practice."

I looked around his place. It was a decent size. "How many rooms do you have?"

"Four," he said. We were quiet after that. Only the sound of dish to dish and smacking of this wonderful food. Then there was the occasional gulp of our orange juice. "Want to watch a movie?" he grabbed our dirty dishes and went to the sink.

"Uh sure," I said. Once he was done we went into the living room.

He grabbed a couple remotes and sat on the couch I was on. Why does he need all those remotes? He turned the TV on with one, then the speakers. He did some more things until 'Netflix' shown on the TV. I briefly heard of it from kids in class. I could barely afford cable let alone internet or this Netflix thing.

"Are we Netflix and chilling?" I asked. I don't completely understand the term but I've heard it from a lot of people in school.

He quickly glanced my way. "I wasn't planning on it."

"Oh," I said. "Then why is Netflix up? Isn't that the point of Netflix and chill?"

He looked at me for a long time. "Do you know what Netflix and chill means?"

I got a bit embarrassed and flustered. "Well...kind of not really I guess."

"It essentially means to f**k," he said.

My eyes got big as saucers. "What?! I asked you to have s*x?!" If I wasn't embarrassed before I surely am now. He started laughing at my panicked face. I felt like I was going to pass out.

"You technically didn't ask me to have s*x," he chuckled. "You just asked if that's what we were going to do. I wouldn't like nothing more beautiful but I think we should at least have our first date first yeah?"

I blushed profusely. "What's that movie?" I pointed to the screen trying to change the subject.

He glanced at it. "It's the Angry Birds movie. Marcel and Chasity made me watch it like twenty times."

I smiled at him. "So you won't mind watching it again right?"

He sighed. "I guess not." He pressed it and the movie started playing. I was very much interested in the movie. It was funny and ironic. I can't believe I've never heard of it before. And apparently there are a bunch of games revolving around these guys. I loved it. Right at the good part the movie stopped.

"What? What happened?" I looked at him and saw he paused it. "Why would you do that? It was just getting good," I whined.

He chuckled. "I have to go pick up my monsters. And I'm sure your parents are worried." If only you knew, I thought bitterly. "So I have to get you home."

I started panicking. If he takes me home he's most certainly going to expect to see my parents. Worse he'll want to come up or something. I can't let that happen. He'll know I was lying. What am I going to do?

"Ready beautiful?" He had his keys in hand and was looking at me strangely. I nodded slowly and got up after him. He led the way back outside. Once I stepped through the door he locked everything up and we headed to the car. He opened the door for me and helped me inside. I chewed inside my cheek as he started up and pulled out. Think, think, think. "You want something to eat before I take you home?"

"Uh...no. I'm fine thank you." I noticed we were driving in the direction of my place. I felt my throat swell nervously. "W-Where are we going?"

He looked at me out the side of his eye. "To their school. Why?"

Their school is near my neighborhood. I might be able to work with that. "No reason." Not too long later we pulled into the school. I used to go here. It's a twenty minute or so walk away from my apartment building. I chewed my lip nervously as I watched him park the vehicle. "Uh...Tremaine?"

He looked at me. "What's up?"

"I-Is it o-okay if I s-stay?" I stuttered.

He narrowed his eyes at me. "Why?"

"Well," I drawled nervously scratching my wrist. "M-My ankle hurts."

"It does?" he asked glancing at my foot. He looked at me once more. "Alright. Stay here." He got out and headed to the school. He looked back at me before disappearing inside.

I sighed. He fell for it. I looked around his truck and found a pen and some paper. I quickly scribbled a note before getting out. I looked around before quickly hobbling away. A bus was coming and I hopped on. I looked out the window and saw Tremaine, Chasity and Marcel come out the school. Marcel raced Chasity to the truck where I would've been. I felt bad when I saw them look disappointed. Tremaine made it to the truck and picked up the paper. The bus pulled off and that's all I saw. I felt bad for just leaving them like that but I had no choice. He’s done so much for me already and I was at risk of wanting…more.

Tremaine

The entire ride to the school Maelynn looked nervous. I wonder how long she's going to act like I'm stupid. Even if the doctor hadn't told me she had no one I would've figured it out eventually. I mean she spent two days in the hospital with fractured ribs and a twisted ankle. I don't care who you are or how much you work. A real parent would've dropped what they were doing to check on the well-being of their child. Especially with injuries like that.

I was at the hospital for hours and no one so much as called for her. No one worked that much. But I decided to play along because she obviously didn't want to speak on things going on at home. But it does have me questioning.

What did happen to her? I know it was some sort of dispute. If her parents aren't in the picture then who could've done that to her? I did find her not too far from a school. Was it an altercation?

"W-Where are we going?" she asked as we were nearing the school.

"To their school. Why?"

"No reason." I glanced at her once more before refocusing on the road. We pulled into the school and I went looking for a space. I backed my way into a space and was about to cut the truck off when she spoke. "Uh...Tremaine?"

I looked up at her. "What's up?"

"I-Is it o-okay if I s-stay?" she stuttered.

I narrowed my eyes at her in suspicion. "Why?"

"Well," she played with her wrist and looked around a bit. "M-My ankle hurts."

"It does?" I looked down at her foot. It seemed fine not too long ago at the house. I looked at her once more questioning if I should believe her. But then again her ankle could be hurting and I don't want her to be uncomfortable following me inside. "Alright. Stay here." I gave in. I got out and walked inside. I looked back at the truck to make sure she was still there.

"Daddy!" Chas ran to me when I walked inside her class. "We see pretty lady?"

"For a little while. We're taking her home." I waved to her teacher before stepping out.

"Why?" she whined.

"She's got to go home Chas." I walked into Marcel's new math class. After voicing my concerns to the principal this morning and having this entire meeting we thought it best he just be moved to another class for the time being. That other lady better count her blessings.

"Nuh uh. She stay with us."

"What’s up pops?" Marcel said joining us.

"What's up little nigga? You running another teacher crazy?"

"Hello?" his teacher came up smiling. I’m not going to lie, shorty was fine as hell. These teachers are glowing up fam. I towered over her since I was like 6'0. She would only be like five foot seven maybe. She was thick with long Brazilian weave. She looked like she was mixed. "You must be Marcel's father."

"That be me. You are?"

"I'm Ms. Parker," she stuck her hand out to me. I smirked. The irony. "I'm his new math teacher. I have to say he's a joy to have in my class."

"True. Hope he’s not giving you a hard time. But I got to go. See ya."

"It was nice meeting you. I hope to see you very soon," she gave me a sly smiled before walking away. I chuckled before ushering them out.

"She a whole hoe daddy," Chas said. I couldn't help but laugh. I know kids don't have a filter but mines are the worst. I'm surprised she didn't call her out in the room.

"Pops you can’t get with my teacher," Marcel said. "Unless you’re trying to get me an A."

"Boy hush. Ain't nobody want your thot ass teacher." I opened the door. "Maelynn at the car y'all."

"BABBBY!" Marcel took off running.

"Pretty!" Chas was right behind him. I stepped down and followed them. Chas turned around with a sad look. "Daddy she gone."

I furrowed my brows. "Whatchu mean she's gone?" Where the hell did she go? Marcel handed me a paper. It was a note.

"Tremaine

I can't thank you enough for taking care of me. I promise I'll be fine from here on and out. Please don't be mad.

Love Maelynn"

I sighed and got them in the car. "Pops we have to find my woman," Marcel said.

"Pretty hurt," Chas said.

"Don't worry about it y'all. I'll find her. Y'all wanna go to your aunt's house?"

"Okay!" they said. I pulled out and started the forty minute drive. I pulled up and honked the horn. They climbed out as she opened the door.

"Be good," I hollered at them.

"We will," they answered. Donna flicked me off before closing the door. I chuckled and pulled out.

I was way behind in schedule. I haven't been to the trap since before I moved and I know this man about to be on my neck about this s**t. I sighed knowing I’ve got this other dilemma on my hands. I got an injured girl running off on me who's obviously getting abused by somebody. I need to find her ass. And when I find her I'm snatching her ass up for leaving like that.

I pulled into where the trap is and got out. The same niggas that forever watching the spot was out front. I walked up the steps and dapped them up. I walked inside and was greeted with the sight of naked females. "Aye what up Killa?" a boy named Kelsey said coming up to me. He was my boy. The only one I really f**k with and trust in here.

"s**t. Where’s he at?"

"Office," he motioned. "Pissed at you though. Going MIA and shit."

"Nah ain't even like that. We just moved and something came up. But do me a favor. Look up a chick named Maelynn. I think she lives in Glenndale near the school Chas and Cel goes to."

He scrunched up his face. "f**k are you trying to do? Order a Chinese bride. I mean they chicken on point-"

"Bruh just do what I said," I laughed. "M-A-E-L-Y-N-N."

"Weird ass s**t," he mumbled walking away. I chuckled and headed down the long corridors. Why is this man so far away from people? Sheesh. I feel bad for the person who’s got to take over and walk this long ass hallway every day.

After a few turns and down the stairs I still had to do a secret knock before this nigga let me in. He was sitting in the dimly lit room counting money. He stopped when he saw me. "Where you been Killa?"

"Something came up," I said taking a seat in front of his desk. "Lot of stuff came up the last few days."

He nodded. "How the little ones?"

"Bad as shit." We both laughed. "So wassup O?"

"You know I'm retiring in a few weeks," he said. "I want to give you the empire."

"Whoa," I said surprised. "Man you know I wasn't trying to stay in this life."

"I know you all about your books and making your family straight but this can help you out. Get your kids straight for college. You know how hard it is out there in the world. Money is what makes it go around. And you the only little nigga I trust with my legacy."

"I don't know man. I'm not trying to put my people in danger."

"You know they won't be. We don't have beef with anybody. And we’re small. We only sell cases to other dealers. None of that corner s**t so you won't get caught up. I'll also teach you how to turn your money legal. So technically you'll be getting legal money still."

"Man," I rubbed chin thoughtfully. It was a pretty good idea. I make more money and have money for Marcel and Chas for the future. And then my money gets flipped to legal tender so I won't be too screwed. And we are too small for people to beef and since we cater to everyone there is no real beef with us. "Iight," I said. "But Kels is my right hand."

"Aye it's your empire now. You pick whoever you want. I'll start training you tomorrow. In the meantime, go deliver this s**t to Darrion."

"Iight peace." I grabbed the duffel bag and headed out. If this place is about to be mine I'm moving offices. Nobody’s about to be held up in the bowels of hell. "Kels!"

"What nigga?" he came out the kitchen. Eating a big ass sandwich.

I laughed at him. "Come ride with me nigga."

"Iight." We both hopped in one of the many delivery vehicles we have.

"So boss man giving me the trap," I said as we listened to music.

"Oh word?" he looked up from his phone. "I thought this was only temporary for you?"

"It is," I said. "But I might as well make all the money I can make right? Marcel and Chas both are expensive as hell and I'm trying to make it so they won't want for anything."

He nodded. "Well congrats nigga. Coming up in the world I see."

"You’re going to be my right hand."

"Oh s**t! A nigga got a promotion and s**t? Aye, make sure you make them little niggas cover up. I'm tired of niggas walking out d***s swinging. And install some showers or some s**t. Those bitches be coming in smelling like week old fish and ass flavored Fritos." I bust out laughing at him. This nigga wild.